When leaving the UAE permanently, cancel your residence visa voluntarily
On the website of the UAE Digital Government (u.ae), the authorities have issued a recommendation that when you decide to leave the UAE permanently, it is important to cancel your UAE residence visa correctly.
Failure to cancel your residency visa can lead to problems if you wish to return to the UAE in the future.
What happens if you don't cancel your visa voluntarily?
ICP officials say that if an expatriate has been out of the country for more than six months, by default the residence visa will be automatically canceled.
Expats who have not voluntarily canceled their residency visas and wish to return to the UAE after a six-month absence must seek permission through the ICP's website or app.
The ICP will determine if and when the expatriate can return to the UAE, what documents need to be prepared and what fees need to be paid.
If a company decides to cancel an employee's employment visa, it must first apply to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emirate (MoHRE) to cancel the employee's employment contract and labour card.
It is important to note that the employer can only apply to the ICP to cancel the visa after the employee has signed the application form.
In addition, the company must also cancel the employee's work permit. The company should submit a letter signed by the employee to the MoHRE indicating that he has received all fees from the employer, including salary and termination of service benefits.
How can I apply for the cancellation of my residence visa?
- One can submit an application for the cancellation of a residence visa through an ICP-approved typing office (also known as a typing center or business service center).
- Applications can also be submitted through the online platforms of the authorities concerned with the issuance of residence visas (e.g. the Dubai General Establishment for Residence and Foreigners).
- Sponsors can also submit their applications through the ICP's online channels, such as the website (https://icp.gov.ae/) and the smart application on the Google Play and App Store platforms (UAEICP).